There are several opportunities available for financial assistance with the Nebraska Forest Sevice. Each grant has its own unique requirements but all will include an element of cost-sharing of the project. Cost-share is reimbursed to the applicant after a project’s successful completion.
While applications may seem difficult, our staff is available to help you assess your project, determine the best source of funding, and help you get paperwork in order. It is a no-cost service we provide to help you reach your project’s end goals.
Hazardous Fuels Treatment
ABOUT: Reimbursements up to 100 percent of the costs of thinning of dense forests and removal of ladder fuels—live or dead vegetation—that allow fires to climb from the landscape floor into the tree canopy.
WHO CAN APPLY: State and private forest landowners with treatment acres adjacent to US Forest Service land in the Pine Ridge.
CONTACT:
Bryce Gerlach | 308-360-1071 | bgerlach5@unl.edu
Luke Gazak | 919-744-9427 | lgazak2@unl.edu
Forest Fuels Treatment
ABOUT: Reimbursement up to 75 percent of the cost of tree removal, piling, and burning. Per-acre caps apply.
WHO CAN APPLY: Forest landowners in the Pine Ridge, Niobrara Valley, Loess Canyons, and northeast Nebraska, near the Missouri River.
CONTACTS:
Pine Ridge: Bryce Gerlach | 308-360-1071 | bgerlach5@unl.edu
Niobrara Valley: Jason Severe | 402-480-5657 | jsevere2@unl.edu
Loess Canyons: Jason Clark | 402-480-3231 | jclark25@unl.edu
Northeast: Jorden Smith | 402-278-8349 | jsmith145@unl.edu
Forest Restoration
ABOUT: Reimbursement up to 75 percent of the cost of removing dead or damaged trees, controlling erosion, tree planting, and broadcast seeding, weed control, animal damage control, and fencing activities.
WHO CAN APPLY: Any state or private forest landowner in the Pine Ridge or Niobrara Valley with burned forest land.
CONTACT:
Pine Ridge: Bryce Gerlach | 308-360-1071 | bgerlach5@unl.edu
Niobrara Valley: Jason Severe | 402-480-5657 | jsevere2@unl.edu
Firewise™ Defensible Space
ABOUT: Reimbursement up to 75 percent of the cost of removing flammable trees and shrubs to create “defensible space” around homes or buildings.
WHO CAN APPLY: Any state or private forest landowner in Nebraska.
CONTACT:
Matt Holte | 402-472-6060 | mholte3@unl.edu
Volunteer Fire Assistance
ABOUT: Reimbursement up to 50 percent of the cost to acquire the necessary equipment, prevention material, and/or training for fighting wildland fires. Individual awards are capped at $5,000 and online fire reporting must be current.
WHO CAN APPLY: Volunteer fire departments in Nebraska. The application is available annually in April.
CONTACT:
Matt Holte | 402-472-6060 | mholte3@unl.edu
Minigrants for planting
ABOUT: Funding supports fall tree-planting projects. Maximum of ten trees per project, requires approved in-kind match by the applicant.
WHO CAN APPLY: Individuals must represent a group or organization.
Priority for ReTree Nebraska ambassadors, TCUSA, etc. Individuals volunteering/supporting community forestry programs. Schools, non-profit groups and are encouraged to apply.
CONTACT:
Kendall Weyers | 402-472-6693 | kweyers2@unl.edu
Converting to biomass
ABOUT: Funding for converting a facility to utilize woody biomass for heating and/or cooling. Reimbursement up to 50 percent of the cost of contracted engineering, construction and installation costs upon project completion.
WHO CAN APPLY: Any public, private, and/or nonprofit organizations in Nebraska.
CONTACT:
Kim Slezak | 402-429-6931 | kslezak2@unl.edu
Wood products development
ABOUT: Reimbursement up to 100 percent of the cost of developing innovative wood products or uses for established products. Awards may include proof-of-concept projects, product development and testing, product marketing, or outreach and education.
WHO CAN APPLY: Local, regional, or state agencies, and private businesses statewide.
CONTACT:
Heather Nobert |402-782-1453 | hnobert2@unl.edu
Great Plains Biochar Initiative
ABOUT: Reimbursements up to 100 percent for the development of wood-based biochar markets and/or utilization opportunities. Individual awards are capped at $5,000.
WHO CAN APPLY: Any public or private business, agency, landowner or nonprofit organization.
CONTACT:
Kim Slezak | 402-429-6931 | kslezak2@unl.edu